Bengal calls for gainful employment generation in 11th plan

Kolkata, Jul 17 (UNI) The West Bengal government has called for gainful employment generation and employment oriented increase of production.

"This employment oriented increase in production needs lessening of monopolitstic powers and a move towards more equal competition so that large number of people can participate in production and services," state Finance minister Asim Dasgupta told reporters while presenting the observations for the draft approach paper for the 11th five year plan.

"The state has also called for extension of the universalisation of secondary education with initiation of the Sarva Shiksa Avijan phase II like the universalisation of elementary education through SSA. This will help integrate the increase in productive employment generation in agriculture, industry and services," he said.

The state has called for increase in the ratio of devolution of central proceeds of service taxes from the present 30.5 per cent to 50 per cent in favour of states, he added.

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